Hurley Community Development

Site Description:

This small community has experienced many financial hardships and widespread unemployment due to the closing of a large number of coalmines. Mattie Christian and Edna Justus, the two coordinators of the site, have dedicated themselves to improving the spirit and living conditions of the community. Students will assist them in their efforts to complete community cleanup and building projects at various sites in the region, some relatively far from the community center to which the students will drive. Typical daily schedule includes a 7:30 a.m. wake up, prepare own breakfast and pack lunch, work from 9am-3pm at various work sites, free time at night or possible activity planned by the site. Students will interact with the residents and families at the work sites throughout the week and will attend a church service at one of the many churches in the area. The volunteers at the community center are amazing and inspirational people with whom to talk and work alongside.

Site Resources:

http://www.hurleycommunitydevelopment.com/

Site Contact:

We discourage students from directly contacting the site; all reservations are made through the Center for Social Concerns. Further emergency contact information will be provided to students upon enrollment in the seminar.

Mattie Christian: cchcdinc@netscope.net; 276-566-7142

Lodging:

Students should bring sheets and blankets, not sleeping bags.

Travel:

Students will arrive at the site by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, and will return the following Friday, October 21.

Personal Expenses:

Students must pay for their own meals while they travel from Notre Dame to the site on Sunday and back to Notre Dame from the site on Friday or Saturday. Students are requested to bring enough money to pay for these 2–3 meals, and it is also suggested that students bring extra spending money for personal purchases during their immersion. The availability of ATMs varies with each site, and so in the interest of avoiding fees or running out of money, it is suggested that students have a reasonable amount of cash on hand before the immersion.

Meals:

Students will use Center credit cards to purchase groceries and prepare their own meals.